“Love is a decision.  You have to choose to love someone and then continue to make that decision to love on a daily basis.”  This is what my husband and I tell the engaged couples that we sponsor for marriage.  Love isn’t a feeling.  It isn’t something that you can fall INTO and OUT OF.  Each day, you have to decide to love.

Choosing to love others is what Jesus is ultimately calling us to do.  In our readings this week, St. Paul is reminding us of the Golden Rule, to love our neighbors as ourselves.  This love for others should also be a reminder to us to not judge others or to do something that will cause others to fall away from Christ.  Let us work towards peace with others and find ways to uplift them, rather than tear them down.

This week, please read Romans 13:1-14:23 and review the questions shown below.  In addition, please SHARE with us your thoughts regarding the verses or questions on the Week 7 page or on the Life Giving Bread Facebook page.

One piece of business to discuss:  After this week, we have only one more week of the Romans study.  What do you think about maybe doing an Advent study? It is a 4-week study (http://www.cssprogram.net/store/index.php/preparing-for-christ-advent-cycle-b-study-book.html). Please check this out and let me know if you are interested in this.  If we do have enough interest, I want to give enough time for everyone to get the book (I can place the order for those in and near Louisville).

Questions:

• What verse(s) stood out to you and why?Please review the study questions in the  Ignatius Catholic Study Bible – The Gospel of Romans’ (page 49) for chapters 13 and 14. They are available online:http://www.ignatius.com/promotions/catholic-study-bible/download/guides/icsb-romans.pdf
•  In regards to Romans 13:1-7, how should a ruler act? What respect should be given to those in authority?  How does this relate to our society and our duties as Christians?
• Do you fulfill the law by loving your neighbors?  What, if anything, makes it difficult for you to love others?  What can you do to remedy this obstacle? (see Romans 13:8-10)
• “Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another?  It is before his own master that he stands or falls.” (Romans 14:4)  The Lord is our master.  All Christians serve Christ.  Therefore, we should not judge other Christians for how they serve.  “(H)e who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God, and approved by men.  Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” (Romans 14:18-19) Judgement is left up to God, and God alone.  What do you think of that information?  How can you uplift other Christians and/or strengthen the ties you have with them? How do you hurt, or bring down, people of other Christian denominations?(see Romans 14:1-23)